Posture sensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Posture sensing apparatus for notifying an occupant of the posture of the occupant comprises a sensing device and sitting means for infants, babies and children: The sensing device comprises sensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supply that are electrically interconnected to one another. The sensors generate/send signals to the microcomputer when an occupant on the sitting means contacts thereto. The microcomputer orders the responding means either to produce responding signal or not, according to predetermined program, and when the responding means responds, it is arranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant corrects the posture and contacts all the sensor(s).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sitting means, and particularlyrelates to a sitting means having sensing device for sensing the postureof an occupant, and thereby for notifying an occupant and/or theattendant to the occupant of the posture of the occupant, andencouraging the occupant and/or the attendant to correct the posture ofthe occupant.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a “sitting means” such as chairs, seats and the like has aseat member that supports the thighs and pelvis of an occupant and aback member that is adapted to provide support to the back of theoccupant.

A “baby holding means” such as child car seats also has a bottom seatportion and a backrest portion that support the thighs, pelvis and theback of an occupant.

The baby holding means may be any one of a number of such known devicesas an infant seat, child car seat, child car bed, stroller, infant bed,hammock, cradle, rocker, bassinet, shopping cart, infant carrier, babycarrying pack, swing, crib, walker, baby jogger, high chair, stationaryinfant stand and the like. Each of the baby holding means is provided asa separate unit and some are designed to function as a combination of afew of these devices.

Presently, miniature accessories are now commercially available fordolls and toy figures such as miniature infant seat, child car seat,child car bed, stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle, rocker, bassinet,shopping cart, infant carrier, baby carrying pack, swing, crib, walker,baby jogger, high chair, stationary infant stand and various otherdevices appropriate to the range of activities entailed in rearing adoll.

The dolls may have the shape of a baby, animal, clown and the like, andthe dolls are placed in these accessory means in a laid or seatedposition.

Each of these accessory means for dolls also has a bottom seat portionthat supports the thighs and/or pelvis part of a doll (an occupant) andbackrest portion that is adapted to provide support to the back part ofthe dolls.

When an infant is wrapped in a wrapping means such as a blanket, theupper portion and lower portion of the wrapping means touch the back andbuttock of the infant, respectively. Further, when the infant wrapped inthe wrapping means is seated in a chair, the upper portion and lowerportion of the wrapping means are placed on the back member and the seatmember of the chair, respectively.

If an infant is laid down on the flat surface of the bed portion of acrib, the lower portion and upper portion of the bed to which thebuttock and the spine of the infant touches, respectively, is designatedherein as the “bottom seat potion” and the “backrest portion”,respectively, for convenience.

Thus, for convenience, the terms “seat member” and “back member” arerepresentatively used to designate the “bottom seat portion” and“backrest portion” of the baby holding means, accessory means andwrapping means, respectively, throughout the specification.

Also for convenience, the term “sitting means” is sometimes used torepresentatively designate the “baby holding means”, “accessory means”and “wrapping means” throughout the specification.

Further, also for convenience, the term “chair” or “seat” is sometimesused to representatively designate all these types of sitting means.

In a broad way, the right sitting posture in a chair is to let the hipclosely contact the lower part of the back member and to let the spinalcolumn be so physiologic, erect and static as to maintain thebiomechanical, neutral spine position of a person having a normalposture in which muscular balance is maintained.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the right and faulty sitting postures of aperson sitting on the work chair and driving seat, respectively.

FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically depict the pertinent skeletal components ofthe person shown in the left and right of FIG. 2 in phantom,respectively.

It is well known that faulty sitting posture in the chair is the mostcommon cause of lowback pain and sciatica. Especially, in case of babiesand children who grow rapidly, it is of great importance for them tohave the habit to sit in right sitting posture.

Childhood play is not aimless, but represents the earliest form ofapprenticeship. The process of childhood development involves imitativebehavior in which the playing child carries out an action that he hasbeen repeatedly heard and/or taught. Thus, if a child has beenrepeatedly heard and/or taught to take right sitting posture, he therebygains at least a naive understanding regarding the nature of goodsitting posture.

In case of a child car seat, it is provided with a shield and/or safetybelts that protect the child in case the car is involved in an accidentor stops abruptly.

However, children will under some conditions be sleepy and slidedownwardly in the seat, tilt sideways, or to an unnatural, posture-poorposition, while others, normally active children, tend to stand in thesecar seats, or even intentionally to climb out of them.

Moreover, it is often difficult to determine if the safety belts aresecurely fastened or whether any activity by the child may have causedtheir latching mechanism to open.

If the baby stands up abruptly or sneakily slipped out of the child carseat, the mother who is concentrating on her driving maybe quitefrightened and disturbed in her driving, which may cause emergency stop,unexpected accident, or collision.

If a child has been repeatedly heard and/or taught to let the dolls in aminiature car seat take right sitting posture or to buckle the safetybelts, he thereby gains at least a naive understanding regarding thenature of good sitting posture and why it is important to buckle theseat belts.

Normally, a sleeping child is laid on a wrapping means (blanket, pad,mattress and the like) and the mother is doing other things while thechild is sleeping.

However, while sleeping, the baby tosses and turns, moves about and isdisplaced significantly from the intended position in the wrappingmeans, which may sometimes result in an unexpected accident.

Thus, in order to teach the concept of right sitting posture to thechild and notify the parents of the displacement of the infant, baby orchild from the intended position on the blanket or in the child carseat, above said various embodiments of the sensing device of thepresent invention are provided in the child holding means, accessorymeans and wrapping means of various types. By the same token, thesensing device of the present invention is also embodied in the bodiesof the dolls and toy figures and the clothes for the infants, babies andchildren including diapers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTS

In the prior arts, there have not been any apparatuses that notify anoccupant (infant, baby or child) and/or the attendant to the occupant ofthe posture of the occupant, and encourage the occupant and/or theattendant to correct the posture of the occupant.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a devicethat notify, teach, lead or encourage an occupant in a sitting means tohave optimum sitting posture or an attendant (to the occupant) to let anoccupant in a sitting means have optimum sitting posture. It is afurther object of the present invention to provide a sensing device incombination with various means for infant, baby and child for theinfant, baby and child to have optimum posture.

The ultimate object of the present invention is to provide a device thatleads a person to habitually sit in optimum sitting posture from his/herearly days such that; first, he/she can have well built straight body,second, he/she can have physiologically erect posture even in his/herold age, and third, an attendant (to the occupant) can perceive theposture of the occupant and can prevent unexpected accident.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sensing device of the present invention basically comprises one or aplurality of sensing means, a responding means, a switch part and amicrocomputer, which are electrically interconnected to one another andare provided to the part(s) of various means for the infant, baby andchild to which the body of the infant, baby and child is contacting.

Said sensing means generates/sends a signal to the microcomputer when anoccupant sits on the sitting means and contacts said sensing means. Uponreceiving the signal, the microcomputer orders the responding meanseither to respond or not, according to predetermined program.

Accordingly, when the responding means responds, the occupant, uponrecognizing the responding signal, tries to contact all the sensingmeans in order to stop the response by correcting his/her sittingposture, such that the sensing device notifies, teaches, leads and/orencourages the occupant to have optimum sitting posture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate good sitting postures and faulty sittingpostures of a person sitting in a chair and a seat, respectively.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevation views of a person sitting in the seatof FIG. 2, wherein the most pertinent portions of the skeletal structureof the person are depicted in phantom.

FIGS. 5 through 11 are perspective views of chairs to which the sensingdevice of the present invention are provided.

FIG. 12 shows in perspective a child car seat as an example of childsupporting means.

FIG. 13 shows in perspective a cradle as an example of accessory meansfor a doll.

FIG. 14 shows the cradle in FIG. 13, which has a baby doll positionedtherein and does the role of a rocker.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a blanket as an example of child wrappingmeans.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the blanket in FIG. 15placed on a child car seat.

FIGS. 17 through 20 are block diagrams of sensing devices in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a main routine for operationalprocedures of sensing device of the present invention. Like numeralsrefer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of thedrawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 17, there are shown a sensing device and achair (57) having seat member (21) and back member (31) combined withsaid sensing device in accordance with the present invention.

The term “sitting means” is representatively used to designate varioustypes of means each of which defines a seat member and a back memberthat support the thighbones, hip, spine, ribs, shoulder blades, and/orthe head of the occupant.

The sensing device basically comprises the seat sensor (SS) (23) and thehip sensor (HS) (33), a responding means (RM) (95), a switch part (SP)(93), a power supply (PS) (97) and a microcomputer (91).

The seat sensor (23) is provided to the part of the seat member (21) towhich thighs and pelvis of an occupant contact and the hip sensor (33)is provided to the lower part of the back member (31) to which the hipof the occupant contacts.

The unit or assembly comprised of microcomputer (91), switch part (93),responding means (95) and power supply (97) is designated as a “controlunit (90)”.

The operating mode of the sensing device of the present embodimentcomprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33) and the control unit(90) is designated herein as “hip-sensing mode”.

The sensor may be any sensor (i.e. electrical, mechanical,piezoelectric, thermal, infrared LED, silicon rubber sensor, and so on)that generates electrical signal when a physical body contacts thereto,an external force is applied thereto or the sensor is activated upondetecting the presence of a physical body, which is well known to thoseskilled in the art.

When an occupant sits on the sitting means and contacts or activates thesensors provided to the sitting means (e.g. sensors (23), (33)), eachsensor generates an electrical signal and sends it to the microcomputer(91).

The microcomputer (91) stores in memory data for the sensor(s) providedto the sitting means, data for the signal generated by each sensor, anddata for the number(s) of said sensor(s), in a predetermined program,and the microcomputer (91) is further programmed to discriminate whichsignal is generated by which sensor, to compare the number of thesignal(s) sent by the sensor(s) with the number of the sensor(s) presetin said predetermined program, and to order the responding means eitherto respond or not, according to said predetermined program.

Thus, the microcomputer (91) operates according to the predeterminedprogram as follows. First, the microcomputer (91) examines the presenceof signal(s) sent thereto by the sensor(s). If no signal is detected,the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain innon-responding state. If there exist a signal(s) sent thereto, themicrocomputer (91) discriminates which signal is generated by whichsensor and compares the number of the signal(s) with the preset numberof the sensor(s). Then, the microcomputer (91) orders the respondingmeans (95) either to respond or not, according to the predeterminedprogram.

In detail, when an occupant sitting on the sitting means contacts thesensor(s), and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent to themicrocomputer (91) coincides with the preset number of the sensor(s),the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain innon-responding state. And, when an occupant sitting on the sitting meansdoes not contact at least any one sensor, and thereby the number of thesignal(s) sent to the microcomputer (91) does not coincide with thepreset number of the sensor(s), the microcomputer (91) orders theresponding means (95) to produce responding signal.

When the responding means (95) produces responding signal, it isarranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant, uponrecognizing the responding signal, corrects his/her sitting posture andcontacts all the sensor(s) the number of which is preset in themicrocomputer (91).

The responding means (RM) (95) includes devices for producing anauditory signal such as an electronic tone generator or a speaker,devices for producing a visible signal such as a light bulb or alight-emitting diode (LED) and/or devices for producing a vibratorysignal such as a mechanical vibrator unit, known in the art.

The responding means (95) produces an auditory signal (sound), a visiblesignal (light) and/or a vibratory signal (vibration) in accordance withthe order of said microcomputer.

The numeral (93) designates switch part (SP). The switch part (93) isprovided with several switches the kinds and functions of which will beexplained later. The numeral (97) designates power supply (PS). Thepower supply (97) may be battery supplied, for example, within thecontrol unit (90) or A/C power supplied via a plug.

The sensors (e.g. (23) and (33)), microcomputer (91), responding means(95), switch part (93), and power supply (97) are electricallyinterconnected to one another by electric wires and/or circuits. Thecontrol unit (90) can be affixed to or positioned within the sittingmeans. In FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 the control unit (90) is affixed to thebottom side of the seat member (21) and in FIGS. 9 and 10 the controlunit (90) is positioned at the lateral wall of a seat cushion (seatmember (21)).

In FIGS. 5, 7, etc., the seat sensor (23) is provided to the thigh partsof the seat member (21) to which the thighbones including the ischialtuberosities contact.

The hip sensor (33) is provided to the lower part of the back member(31) on which the hip contacts when an occupant let the hip beposteriorly and inferiorly positioned to contact the lower part of theback member (31) as shown in FIGS. 5 through 16.

A child car seat such as shown in FIG. 12 generally comprises a shell ofrigid plastics material molded into a rough L-shape with its raisedsides curved round to form a partial enclosure. The shell is usuallyprovided with a layer of padding material over most of its innersurface. In this case, above said sensors are provided to this padding.

The operating procedure of the hip-sensing mode is as follows.

When an occupant sits on a seat and touches the seat sensor (23) and hipsensor (33), each sensor generates and sends a signal to themicrocomputer (91), respectively.

When an occupant sits in right sitting posture, in a similar fashionshown in the right of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the thighbones contacting theseat sensor (23) and the hip contacting the hip sensor (33), the twosignals generated by the sensors (23) and (33) are sent to themicrocomputer (91). Upon receiving all the signals of the sensors (23)and (33), the microcomputer (91) let the responding means (95) remain innon-responding state.

When an occupant sits in faulty sitting posture in a similar mannershown in the left of FIGS. 1 and 2, he/she merely contacts anyone of thesensors (23) and (33). Accordingly, the untouched sensor does notgenerate/send a signal to the microcomputer (91).

Upon receiving the signal the number of which is less than the presetnumber of the sensors, the microcomputer (91) orders the respondingmeans (95) to produce responding signal (such as sound, light and/orvibration). Thus, when the responding means produces responding signal,the occupant becomes aware that he/she does not contact the sensor (23)and/or the sensor (33).

Immediately after the response, the occupant tries to have right sittingposture with the thigh bones contacting the seat sensor (23) and the hipcontacting the hip sensor (33) by letting the hip be posteriorly andinferiorly positioned and contact the lower part of the back member(31). Thus, as the signals of all the sensors (23) and (33) are sent tothe microcomputer (91), the microcomputer (91) orders the respondingmeans (95) to stop producing responding signal.

A further sensor(s) may be provided to the sitting means. In FIGS. 7, 13and 18, a spine sensor (SPS) (37) is provided to the middle part of theback member (31) of a chair (61), along the vertical line (V) at thecenter of the back member (31), to which the thoracic vertebrae contactwhen the occupant straightens his/her spinal column. The operating modecomprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), spine sensor (37)and the control unit (90) is designated herein as “spine-sensing mode”.

In FIGS. 8 and 20, the blade sensors (BLS) (35), (35′) are provided tothe upper part of the back member (31) of a chair (65) to which theshoulder blades and/or ribs are contacting when the occupant straightenshis/her spinal column and expands the chest.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the back member (31) of a chair 69 has apair of slightly raised portions (39), (39′) on the surface thereof inorder to fit the natural physical curvature of the ribs of an occupantand the blade sensors (35) and (35′) are provided to said raisedportions, respectively.

In some automobile seats similar to the seat (68) shown in FIG. 10,there has been available a pair of side support members (40), (40′) atthe respective lateral sides of the back member (31) in order to supportboth sides (ribs) of an occupant on the seat. A child car seat such asshown in FIG. 12 generally has raised sides curved round to form apartial enclosure.

The blade sensors (35) and (35′) may be provided to these side supportmembers (40), (40′) or the raised side portions of a child car seat tocontact the ribs of an occupant.

The operating mode comprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33),blade sensors (35), (35′) and the control unit (90) is designated hereinas “blade-sensing mode”.

In FIGS. 9 and 19, a head sensor (HRS) (38) is provided to the middlepart of the headrest (30) of the back member (31) of an office chair(63), to which the cranial bone of an occupant contacts when theoccupant rests his/her head thereon.

The head sensor (38) is provided to prevent the unconscious tilting ofthe head of the occupant and to improve the resting posture of the head.

The operating mode comprised of the seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33),head sensor (38) and the control unit (90) is designated herein as a“head-sensing mode”.

In case of a car seat, restraining means such as safety belt(s) and/orshield(s) is provided to the seat to secure the safety of the occupant.In this case, a sensor(s) may be provided to these restraining means(not shown).

When the sensor(s) of the present invention is provided to therestraining means, it not only helps the occupant to sit in rightsitting posture but also reminds the occupant of buckling of therestraining means.

The sensor provided to the restraining means is designated as the “beltsensor”. The operating mode comprised of the seat sensor 23 and/or hipsensor 33, belt sensor and the control unit 90 is designated herein as“belt sensing mode”.

The sensor(s) may be provided only to the back member (31).

Fist, only the hip sensor (33) may be provided to the lower part of theback member (31). The operating mode of the sensing device comprised ofthe hip sensor (33) and the control unit (90) is designated herein as a“basic sensing mode”. The operating procedure of the basic sensing modewill be described later.

A plurality of sensors basically including the hip sensor (33) may beprovided only to the back member (31). The operating mode comprised of aplural ity of sensors provided to the back member (31) and the controlunit (90) is designated herein as a “back-sensing mode”. If desired, allthe sensors for the sensing modes heretofore described may altogether beprovided to one sitting means. Further, in addition to these sensor(s),a certain sensor(s) may be provided to a certain place(s) of the seatmember and/or back member for certain purposes. For example, a furthersensor may be provided to the right or left upper part of the backmember for the patient having scoliosis.

Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to thesensing devices of the present invention combined with baby holdingmeans.

Generally, a baby holding means is designed for providing support and/orsubstantial protection of the occupant (an infant, baby or child) andcapable of being oriented in either a sitting and/or reclining position.

As above described, the baby holding means designates any one of anumber of such devices as an infant seat, child car seat, child car bed,stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle, rocker, bassinet, shopping cart,infant carrier, baby carrying pack, swing, crib, walker, baby jogger,high chair, stationary infant stand and the like. Each of the babyholding means is provided as a separate unit and some are designed tofunction as a combination of a few of these devices.

Each of the baby holding means comprises substantially flat bottom seatportion and backrest portion that receive and/or support the body of theoccupant.

Further, the bottom seat portion and backrest portion have thigh parts,hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part to whichthe thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head of an occupantcontact, respectively.

The sensors in the above embodiments are provided to the thigh parts,hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part of thebottom seat portion and the backrest portion.

For example, in FIG. 12, seat sensor (23), hip sensor (33), spine sensor(37) and head sensor (38) are provided to the thigh parts, hip part,spine part and the head part of the bottom seat portion (133) andbackrest portion (135) of the baby holding means (131) (child car seat).The control unit (90) is connected to these sensors through electricwires (not shown). When a hood is provided to these baby holding meanssuch as a bunting, the head sensor (38) is provided to the middle headpart of the hood.

Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to thesensing devices of the present invention combined with accessory meansfor dolls.

Generally, an accessory means is designed for providing support to theoccupant (a doll) that is placed therein in a sitting and/or recliningposition.

As above described, the accessory means for dolls designates any one ofa number of such devices as a miniature of infant seat, child car seat,child car bed, stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle, rocker, bassinet,shopping cart, infant carrier, baby carrying pack, swing, crib, walker,baby jogger, high chair, stationary infant stand and various otherdevices that hold, carry or support dolls.

Each of the accessory means also has a substantially flat bottom seatportion and backrest portion that receive and/or support the body of theoccupant (a toy means such as a doll).

Further, these bottom seat portion and backrest portion also have thighparts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head partto which the thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head of anoccupant contact, respectively.

The sensors in the above embodiments are also provided to the thighparts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head partof the bottom seat portion and the backrest portion of the accessorymeans.

FIG. 13 shows a generally rectangular rocker cradle (121) molded ofsynthetic plastic material. The cradle (121) is provided with abellied-out bottom wall (123) to receive a doll and the sensors ((23),(33) and (37)) are provided to the thigh parts, hip part and the spinepart of the bottom wall (123).

In FIG. 14, the cradle (121) functions as a rocker with respect to ababy doll (101) placed in the bellied-out bottom wall (123) touching allthe sensors (23), (33) and (37).

Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to thesensing devices of the present invention combined with wrapping means(blankets and similar articles) for an infant, baby or a child.

Generally, a wrapping means is designed for providing support, warmthand/or substantial protection of the occupant such as an infant, baby orchild, and is used with a child car seat or baby carrier as well asindoors.

A wrapping means generally designates any one of a substantially flatblanket, cushion support, pad, bunting or sheet article of flexiblefabric material such as cotton, nylon, fleece, or the like and has afront side, back side, a contiguous upper, bottom, right and left edgeand dimensions sufficient to fit around a child.

Also some wrapping means include pockets or attachments that permit themounting of a cushion support or pad to a primary blanket. Some wraps inthe markets convert to a blanket, a bunting or a pad.

When an infant is wrapped in a wrapping means and is in a laid positionor seated position, the wrapping means defines a bottom seat portion andbackrest portion that receive and/or support the body of the infant.

Further, the bottom seat portion and backrest portion also defines thighparts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head partto which the thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head of anoccupant contact, respectively.

The sensors in the above embodiments are provided to the thigh parts,hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part of thebottom seat port ion and the backrest portion of the wrapping means.

For example, in FIG. 15, hip sensor (33) and spine sensor (37) areprovided to the hip part and spine part of the bottom seat portion andbackrest portion of the blanket (141), respectively. The control unit(90) is connected to these sensors through electric wires (not shown).

FIG. 16 shows a wrapping means (blanket) (141) of the present embodimentplaced over a child car seat (151). The numerals (143) and (145)designate the apertures to receive the safety belt and the numerals(153) and (155) designate the bottom seat portion and backrest portionof the child car seat (151), respectively.

Right on the surfaces of the bottom seat portion (153) and the backrestportion (155) of the child car seat (151) are placed the bottom seatportion and the backrest portion of the wrapping means (141),respectively.

Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to thesensing devices of the present invention combined with the clothingmeans for the infants, babies and children (not shown).

Generally, a clothing means is designed for providing support, warmthand/or substantial protection of the wearer such as an infant, baby orchild.

The clothing means herein designates any one of the diapers, covers fordiapers, shirts, unitary garments, pants, sanitary napkins, bandages andthe like for the infants, babies or children. When a clothing means isprovided to an infant, the clothing means defines stomach part, thighparts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head partto which the stomach, thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or thehead of the infant contact, respectively.

The sensors in the above embodiments are provided to the stomach part,thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the headpart of the clothing means.

The sensor(s) may be embedded in the desired part(s) of the clothingmeans or affixed to said part(s) by means of the Velcro RTM fasteners.

If an infant wearing a diaper having a sensor provided to the hip partof the cover for a diaper is displaced from the bed, the sensor pressedunder the hip is released and generates signal. Thus, the respondingsignal notifies the mother who is not present in the room that theinfant has awakened and is moving about.

Still a further embodiment of the present invention relates to thesensing devices of the present invention combined with the toy means forthe babies and children (not shown).

The dolls and toy figures have been provided in human resembling figuressuch as warriors, heroes or the like, fantasy-type figures includingcartoon and other fictional characters such as a ghost or fairygodmother or other recognizable character as well as animal-like figuresthat generally resemble fanciful animals such as a dog, a cat, a rabbit,a bear, or the like.

Almost all of these toy means have been made of cloths, woods, rubbers,synthetic materials and/or the combination of a few of these materials.

The toy means herein designates any one of the dolls and toy figuresprovided in human resembling figures, fantasy-type figures, oranimal-like figures for the babies or children.

Each of these toy means has stomach part, thigh parts, hip part, spinepart, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part.

The sensors in the above embodiments are provided to these stomach part,thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the headpart of the toy means.

The sensor(s) may be embedded in the desired part(s) of the toy means oraffixed to said part(s) by means of known fixing means such as theVelcro RTM fasteners, adhesives and the like.

If a doll seated in a miniature chair with its hip part having a sensorprovided thereto is bent forward by an external force, the hip sensorcontacting the lower part of the back member of the chair is releasedand generates signal.

Thus, the responding signal notifies the attendant (e.g., a child) thatthe doll is displaced from the intended position.

The operating procedure of above said sensing mode(s) having a pluralityof sensors is similar to those described in connection with abovedescribed hip-sensing mode. Namely, when an occupant on the sittingmeans contacts all the sensors provided thereto, the microcomputer (91)let the responding means (95) remain in non-responding state.

When the occupant does not contact at least any one of the sensors, themicrocomputer (91) orders the responding means to respond, and themicrocomputer (91) orders the responding means (95) to stop producingresponding signal when the occupant corrects his/her sitting posture andagain contacts all the sensors.

A sensor-selecting switch may optionally be provided to the switch part(93) for the occupant to select the sensor(s) that he/she wants tooperate among the sensors provided to the sitting means.

The group of sensor(s) selected by the sensor-selecting switch includesat least the hip sensor (33), and may be classified as follows.

-   -   1. hip sensor (33) 2. seat sensor (23) and hip sensor    -   3. seat sensor, hip sensor and spine sensor (37)    -   4. seat sensor, hip sensor and blade sensors (35), (35)    -   5. seat sensor, hip sensor and head sensor (38)    -   6. seat sensor, hip sensor, blade sensors and head sensor    -   7. hip sensor and spine sensor    -   8. hip sensor and blade sensors    -   9. hip sensor, blade sensors and head sensor, and so on.

Further, when a belt sensor(s) is provided to a sitting means that isequipped with seat belt(s), the belt sensor(s) may optionally be addedto these groups.

The sensors of the present invention may be secured in or beneath theouter covering or strap(s) of cloths, leathers, vinyl or any othersynthetic materials of said seat member, back member or seat belt(s).Further, the sensors may be attached on the surfaces of the seat memberand back member. The sensors may be so provided in a slightly convexfashion on the surfaces of the seat member (21) and back member (31)that the body of the occupant may easily contact the sensors.

The switch part (93) is provided with several kinds of switches. Thefirst switch may be a power supply switch for selecting on/off mode ofthe power supply (97). The second switch may be aresponding-device-selecting switch that is capable of switching overamong above said responding devices for producing an auditory signal, avisible signal and/or a vibratory signal. The third switch may be asensor-selecting switch that enables the occupant to choose thesensor(s) he/she wants. The fourth switch may be a time adjusting switchthat adjusts the standard hold time to defer the response of theresponding means (95).

Further, the sensors may be comprised of weight detecting sensors thatcan detect the weight or pressing force of the occupant applied to thesensors.

First, a standard degree of pressing force for each sensor is preset andstored in memory.

Second, the pressing force applied to each sensor is checked through adetermination as to whether the pressing force exceeds the presetstandard degree or not.

Third, when the pressing force applied to a sensor (e.g. belt sensor)exceeds the standard degree, the microcomputer (91) orders theresponding means (95) to produce responding signal.

Fourth, when the responding means (95) produces responding signal, it isarranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant or theattendant (to the occupant), upon recognizing the responding signal,reduces the pressing force applied to the sensor (of the seat belt byloosening the seat belt).

With these arrangements, in case of a child car seat, the attendant (tothe baby) can aware whether the seat belt(s) is buckled too tight or notand can adjust the seat belt.

Further, the present invention may be of such arrangement that themicrocomputer (91) maintains the responding means (95) in hold state fora short time, as a hold time, until certain standard time elapses,according to the predetermined program.

In short, the microcomputer (91) may be so programmed as to order theresponding means (95) to remain in hold state for a given standard time,and after lapse of such hold time, the microcomputer (91) permits theresponding means (95) to respond. A known time counting means, i.e., atimer (not shown) is provided for counting said standard hold time. Thehold time may be approx. 3 sec., preferably. The standard hold time maybe altered to other desired time period such as 1 sec., 5 sec., 60 sec.,and so forth.

With these arrangements, it is possible to prevent the responding meansto randomly generate responding signals when there exists certain timeperiod for the occupant to contact all the corresponding sensors forcertain sensing mode.

Now, with above explained sensing device of the present invention, theprocedure for sensing and notifying the posture of an occupant will bedescribed.

In FIG. 21, there is illustrated a main flow diagram of the processingprocedures of the microcomputer (91). According thereto, at the block(80), the power supply switch is turned on and the flow of theprocessing step starts, as indicated by the next block (81), with aninstruction to detect the presence of the signals generated by thesensors and sent to the microcomputer (91).

At the block (81), it is examined whether signals transmitted from thesensors exist or not, and determined either to put the responding meansin non-responding state when there exists no signal sent by the sensors,or to let the step proceed to the next block (83) when there exists atleast one signal.

It is noted here that normally, no signal is generated/sent to themicrocomputer (91) when no one is sitting on the sitting means.Likewise, when the occupant sitting on the sitting means and contactingall the corresponding sensors for certain sensing mode stands up anddoes not contact any sensors, no signal is generated/sent to themicrocomputer (91).

If no signal is detected, the “NO” is decided, thus putting theresponding means (95) at the block (82) in non-responding state.

If, however, there exist at least one signal received, the block (81)answers “YES”, leading the step to the next block (83).

As described earlier, the number of sensors for certain sensing mode andthe data for the signals of the sensors are preset and stored in memoryfor the microcomputer (91) to proceed with the operations.

At the block (83), the step proceeds to compare the number of thesignal(s) sent by the sensor(s) with the preset number of correspondingsensors for certain sensing mode, and to determine as to whether thenumber of signals coincides with the preset number of sensors or not.

If the number of signals coincides with the preset number of thesensors, the “YES” is decided, thus putting the responding means (95) atthe block (82) in non-responding state. If the occupant does not contactany one sensor(s) or contacts it (them) a little late, as the number ofsignals does not coincide with the preset number of the sensors, theblock (83) answers “NO”, leading the step to the next block (85). At theblock (85), a timer (not shown) starts to count the preset 3 seconds ofhold time.

The step is then led to determining at the block (87) as to whether the3 seconds of hold time has lapsed, or not. At this stage, during suchhold time, instruction in the microcomputer (91) repeatedly indicates a“NO” signal until the 3-sec. time period is over, to withhold decision.

Then, after lapse of the hold time, “YES” is decided at the block (87),so that, at block (87), instruction is given to cause said respondingmeans at the block (89) to respond. During the hold time, if theoccupant touches the sensor(s) that he/she at first did not touch, allthe signals are sent to the block (81).

Accordingly, at the block (83), the number of the signals becomescoincident with the preset number of the sensors, and the “YES” isdecided at the block (83), thus stopping the counting and putting theresponding means (95) at the block (82) in non-responding state.

When the hold time has lapsed and the responding means (95) begins toproduce responding signal, and if the occupant, upon apprehending theresponse of the responding means (95), contacts the sensor(s) thathe/she at first did not contact, all the signals are sent to the block(81), and thereupon the number of the signals becomes coincident withthe preset number of the sensors, the “YES” is decided at the block(83), thus stopping the response of the responding means (95) andputting the responding means (95) at the block (82) in non-respondingstate.

As above described, the occupant contacting all the correspondingsensors for certain sensing mode may feel necessary to remove certainpart of the body from the part of the sitting means to which said partof the body is contacting for a short time period, and thereupon doesnot touch the sensor provided to said part of the sitting means.

In this case, the number of signals sent to the block (81) is less thanthe preset number of the sensors, and the flow of processing step againproceeds through the blocks (83), (85), (87) in the same fashion asdescribed above.

In case of the above described “basic sensing mode” comprised of the hipsensor (33) and control unit (90), as only the hip sensor (33) isprovided to the sitting means or selected among the sensors provided tothe sitting means, the microcomputer (91) is programmed to include thefollowing two different steps of operations.

When an occupant sits in the sitting means and contacts the hip sensor(33), the sensor (33) generates and sends signal to the microcomputer(91). Upon receiving the signal the number of which coincides with thepreset number of the sensor (33), the microcomputer (91) let theresponding means (95) remain in non-responding-state in the same manneras described in connection with other sensing modes.

When the occupant removes the hip from the sensor (33), the sensor (33)stops generating/sending signal to the microcomputer (91), which, in theother sensing modes, means that as no signal is sent to themicrocomputer (91), the microcomputer (91) puts the responding means(95) in non-responding state.

However, as the first different step of operation, when the sensor (33)stops sending signal for the first time, the microcomputer (91), eventhough there exists no signal sent thereto, orders the responding means(95) to produce responding signal to notify the occupant that he/she isnot contacting the sensor (33).

When said responding means produces the responding signal, the occupantbecomes aware that he/she does not contact said sensors. Immediatelyafter the response, the occupant, upon recognizing the respondingsignal, corrects his/her sitting posture with the hip contacting thelower part of said back member by letting the hip be posteriorly andinferiorly positioned, and contacts said hip sensor within certainstandard time period.

Thus, the signal of the sensor (33) is again sent to the microcomputer(91), and thereby the responding means (95) stops producing respondingsignal.

As the second different step of operation, if the occupant continuouslydoes not contact the hip sensor (33) and thereby no signal is sent tothe microcomputer (91) during a given standard time period, themicrocomputer orders the responding means (95) to remain innon-responding state after the standard time period has elapsed.

With all these embodiments of the sensing devices, the present inventionnotifies the occupant and/or the attendant (to the occupant) of theposture of the occupant, and thereby aids in maintaining the occupant ina proper, posture-correct seating position, and especially, it isextremely helpful in caring for, teaching and transporting an infant,baby or child, and is of great relief to the parent in any case.

While having described the present invention thus far, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the illustratedembodiments, but other various modifications, alterations and additionsmay be possible without departing from the spirits and scope of theappended claims.

1. A sensing device for a baby holding means, an accessory means for toymeans, a wrapping means, a clothing means or a toy means, for notifyingthe posture of an occupant placed in a baby holding means, an accessorymeans or a wrapping means, or the posture of an wearer of a clothingmeans, or the posture of a toy means, to the occupant or the wearerand/or an attendant (to the occupant, the wearer or the toy means), andthereby encouraging the occupant, the wearer and/or the attendant (tothe occupant, the wearer or the toy means) to correct the posture of theoccupant, the wearer or the toy means, each of said baby holding means,accessory means or wrapping means being designed for providing support,warmth and/or substantial protection of the occupant, and having ordefining a flat bottom seat portion and a flat backrest portion thatreceive and/or support the body of the occupant, said bottom seatportion and backrest portion defining thigh parts, hip parts, spinepart, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part to which the thighs,hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head of an occupant contact,respectively, said clothing means being designed for providing warmthand/or substantial protection of the wearer, and having stomach part,thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the headpart to which the stomach, thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/orthe head of the wearer contact, respectively, said toy means beingdesigned for providing amusement and comfort of the attendant (e.g.,babies or children) and being any one of the dolls and toy figures, andhaving stomach part, thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder bladeparts and/or the head part to which an external thing contacts, saidsensing device comprising: one or a plurality of sensors for generatingelectrical signal and sending said signal to a microcomputer when anoccupant, a wearer or an external thing contacts or activates thesensor(s), said sensor(s) being provided to the thigh parts, hip part,spine part, shoulder blade parts, and/or the head part to which the bodyof the occupant or the wearer, or an external thing contacts, amicrocomputer that stores in memory data for the sensor(s), data for thesignal generated by each sensor, and data for the number(s) of saidsensor(s), in a predetermined program, and is further programmed todiscriminate which signal is generated by which sensor, to compare thenumber of the signal(s) sent by the sensor(s) with the number of thesensor(s) preset in said predetermined program, and to order theresponding means either to respond or not, a responding means forproducing responding signal in accordance with the order of themicrocomputer, said responding means including devices for producing anauditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal, a switchpart being provided with several kinds of switches, a power supply beingbattery supplied or A/C power supplied, said one or a plurality ofsensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supplybeing electrically interconnected to one another, and said microcomputerbeing so programmed, according to said predetermined program, that; themicrocomputer examines the presence of a signal(s) sent thereto by thesensor(s), and if no signal is detected, the microcomputer let theresponding means remain in non-responding state, when an occupant, awearer or an external thing contacts the sensor(s) provided to said babyholding means, accessory means, wrapping means, clothing means or toymeans, and the number of the signal(s) sent to the microcomputercoincides with the preset number of the sensor(s), the microcomputerorders the responding means to remain in non-responding state, when theoccupant, the wearer or an external thing does not contact or activateat least any one sensor and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent tothe microcomputer is less than the preset number of the sensor(s), themicrocomputer orders the responding means to produce responding signal,and it is arranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant,the wearer or the attendant (to the occupant, the wearer or the toymeans), upon recognizing the responding signal, corrects the posture ofthe occupant, the wearer or the toy means, and thereby let all thesensors the number of which is coincident with the preset number of thesensor(s) be contacted by the occupant, the wearer or an external thing.2. A combination of a sensing device with a baby holding means fornotifying an occupant placed in the baby holding means and/or anattendant (to the occupant) of the posture of the occupant, and therebyencouraging the occupant and/or the attendant to correct the posture ofthe occupant, comprising: a baby holding means being designed forproviding support and/or protection of the occupant and capable of beingoriented in either a sitting and reclining position, and having a bottomseat portion and backrest portion that, respectively, have substantiallyflat surfaces and adequate sizes to receive and/or support the body ofthe occupant, said bottom seat portion and backrest portion definingthigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the headpart to which the thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head ofan occupant contact, respectively, and a sensing device for said babyholding means: said sensing device comprising; one or a plurality ofsensors for generating electrical signal when an occupant contacts oractivates the sensor(s) and sending said signal to a microcomputer, saidsensor(s) being provided to the thigh parts, hip part, spine part,shoulder blade parts and/or the head part of said bottom seat portionand backrest portion, a microcomputer that stores in memory data for thesensor(s), data for the signal generated by each sensor, and data forthe number(s) of said sensors(s), in a predetermined program, and isfurther programmed to discriminate which signal is generated by whichsensor, to compare the number of the signal(s) sent by the sensor(s)with the number of the sensor(s) preset in the predetermined program,and to order the responding means either to respond or not, a respondingmeans for producing responding signal in accordance with the order ofthe microcomputer, said responding means including devices for producingan auditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal, a switchpart being provided with several kinds of switches, a power supply beingbattery supplied or A/C power supplied, said one or a plurality ofsensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supplybeing electrically interconnected to one another and provided to saidbaby holding means; and said microcomputer being so programmed,according to said predetermined program, that; the microcomputerexamines the presence of a signal(s) sent thereto by the sensor(s), andif no signal is detected, the microcomputer let the responding meansremain in non-responding state, when an occupant placed on the babyholding means contacts the sensor(s) and the number of the signal(s)sent to the microcomputer coincides with the preset number of thesensor(s) the microcomputer orders the responding means to remain innon-responding state, when the occupant does not contact or activate atleast any one sensor and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent to themicrocomputer is less than the preset number of the sensor(s), themicrocomputer orders the responding means to produce responding signal,and it is arranged such that the response is stopped when the occupantand/or the attendant (to the occupant), upon recognizing the respondingsignal, corrects the posture of the occupant, and thereby let theoccupant contact or activate all the sensor(s) the number of which iscoincident with the preset number of the sensor(s).
 3. A combination ofa sensing device with an accessory means for a toy means for notifyingan attendant to the occupant (e.g., a doll) placed in the accessorymeans of the posture of the occupant, and thereby encouraging theattendant to correct the posture of the occupant, comprising: anaccessory means being designed for providing support and/orsubstantially protection of the occupant and capable of being orientedin either a sitting and reclining position, and having a bottom seatportion and backrest portion that, respectively, have substantially flatsurfaces and adequate sizes to receive and/or support the body of theoccupant, and said bottom seat portion and backrest portion definingthigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the headpart to which the thighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head ofan occupant (e.g., a doll) contact, respectively, a sensing device forsaid accessory means: said sensing device comprising; one or a pluralityof sensors for generating electrical signal when an occupant contacts oractivates the sensor(s) and sending said signal to a microcomputer, saidsensor(s) being provided to the thigh parts, hip part, spine part,shoulder blade parts and/or the head part of said bottom seat portionand backrest portion, a microcomputer that stores in memory data for thesensor(s), data for the signal generated by each sensor, and data forthe number(s) of said sensor(s), in a predetermined program, and isfurther programmed to discriminate which signal is generated by whichsensor, to compare the number of the signal(s) sent by the sensor(s)with the number of the sensor(s) preset in the predetermined program,and to order the responding means either to respond or not, a respondingmeans for producing responding signal in accordance with the order ofthe microcomputer, said responding means including devices for producingan auditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal, a switchpart being provided with several kinds of switches, a power supply beingbattery supplied or A/C power supplied, said one or a plurality ofsensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supplybeing electrically interconnected to one another and provided to saidaccessory means; and said microcomputer being so programmed, accordingto said predetermined program, that; the microcomputer examines thepresence of a signal(s) sent thereto by the sensor(s), and if no signalis detected, the microcomputer let the responding means remain innon-responding state, when an occupant (a toy means) placed on theaccessory means contacts the sensor(s) and the number of the signal(s)sent to the microcomputer coincides with the preset number of thesensor(s), the microcomputer orders the responding means to remain innon-responding state, when the occupant does not contact or activate atleast any one sensor and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent to themicrocomputer is less than the preset number of the sensor(s), themicrocomputer orders the responding means to produce responding signal,and it is arranged such that the response is stopped when the attendant(to the occupant), upon recognizing the responding signal, corrects theposture of the occupant, and thereby let the occupant contact oractivate all the sensor(s) the number of which is coincident with thepreset number of the sensor(s).
 4. A combination of a sensing devicewith a wrapping means for notifying an occupant placed in the wrappingmeans and/or an attendant to the occupant of the posture of theoccupant, and thereby encouraging the occupant and/or the attendant tocorrect the posture of the occupant, comprising: a wrapping means beingdesigned for providing support, warmth and/or substantial protection ofthe occupant, and defining a bottom seat portion and backrest portionthat, respectively, have substantially flat, flexible surfaces andadequate sizes to receive and/or support the body of the occupant, andsaid bottom seat portion and backrest portion defining thigh parts, hippart, spine part, shoulder blade parts, and/or head part to which thethighs, hip, spine, shoulder blades and/or the head of the occupantcontact, respectively, a sensing device for said wrapping means: saidsensing device comprising; one or a plurality of sensors for generatingelectrical signal when an occupant contacts or activates the sensor(s)and sending said signal to a microcomputer, said sensor(s) beingprovided to the thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade partsand/or the head part of said bottom seat portion and backrest portion, amicrocomputer that stores in memory data for the sensor(s), data for thesignal generated by each sensor, and data for the number(s) of saidsensor(s), in a predetermined program, and is further programmed todiscriminate which signal is generated by which sensor, to compare thenumber of the signal(s) sent by the sensor(s) with the number of thesensor(s) preset in the predetermined program, and to order theresponding means either to respond or not, a responding means forproducing responding signal in accordance with the order of themicrocomputer, said responding means including devices for producing anauditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal, a switchpart being provided with several kinds of switches, a power supply beingbattery supplied or A/C power supplied, said one or a plurality ofsensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supplybeing electrically interconnected to one another and provided to saidwrapping means; and said microcomputer being so programmed, according tosaid predetermined program, that; the microcomputer examines thepresence of a signal(s) sent thereto by the sensor(s), and if no signalis detected, the microcomputer let the responding means remain innon-responding state, when an occupant placed in the wrapping meanscontacts the sensor(s) and the number of the signal(s) sent to themicrocomputer coincides with the preset number of the sensor(s), themicrocomputer orders the responding means to remain in non-respondingstate, when the occupant does not contact or activate at lease any onesensor and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent to the microcomputeris less than the preset number of the sensor(s), the microcomputerorders the responding means to produce responding signal, and it isarranged such that the response is stopped when the occupant and/or theattendant (to the occupant), upon recognizing the responding signal,corrects the posture of the occupant, and thereby let the occupantcontact or activate all the sensor(s) the number of which is coincidentwith the preset number of the sensor(s).
 5. A combination of a sensingdevice with a clothing means for notifying a wearer wearing the clothingmeans and/or an attendant to the wearer of the posture of the wearer,and thereby encouraging the wearer and/or the attendant to correct theposture of the wearer, comprising: a clothing means being designed forproviding warmth and/or substantial protection of the wearer, anddefining stomach part, thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder bladeparts and/or the head part to which the stomach, thighs, hip, spine,shoulder blades and/or the head of the wearer contact, respectively, anda sensing device for said clothing means: said sensing devicecomprising; one or a plurality of sensors for generating electricalsignal when a wearer contacts or activates the sensor(s) and sendingsaid signal to a microcomputer, said sensor(s) being provided to saidstomach part, thigh parts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade partsand/or the head part, and a microcomputer that stores in memory data forthe sensor(s), data for the signal generating by each sensor, and datafor the number(s) of said sensor(s), in a predetermined program, and isfurther programmed to discriminate which signal is generated by whichsensor, to compare the number of the signal(s) sent by the sensor(s)with the number of sensor(s) preset in the predetermined program, and toorder the responding means either to respond or not, a responding meansfor producing responding signal in accordance with the order of themicrocomputer, said responding means including devices for producing anauditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal, a switchpart being provided with several kinds of switches, a power supply beingbattery supplied or A/C power supplied, said one or a plurality ofsensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supplybeing electrically interconnected to one another and provided to saidclothing means; and said microcomputer being so programmed, according tosaid predetermined program, that; the microcomputer examines thepresence of a signal(a) sent thereto by the sensor(s), and if no signalis detected, the microcomputer let the responding means remain innon-responding state, when a wearer wearing the clothing means contactsthe sensor(s) and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent to themicrocomputer coincides with the preset number of the sensor(s), themicrocomputer orders the responding means to remain in non-respondingstate, when the wearer does not contact or activate at least any onesensor and thereby the number of the signal(s) sent to the microcomputeris less than the preset number of the sensor(s), the microcomputerorders the responding means to produce responding signal, and it isarranged such that the response is stopped when the wearer and/or theattendant (to the wearer), upon recognizing the responding signal,corrects the posture of the wearer, and thereby let the wearer contactor activate all the sensor(s) the number of which is coincident with thepreset number of the sensor(s).
 6. A combination of a sensing devicewith a toy means for notifying an attendant to the toy means of theposture of the toy means, and thereby encouraging the attendant tocorrect the posture of the toy means, comprising: a toy means beingdesigned for providing amusement and comfort of the attendant (e.g.,babies or children) and being any one of the dolls and toy figuresprovided in human resembling figures, fantasy-type figures, oranimal-like figures, and having stomach part, thigh parts, hip part,spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part to which anexternal thing contacts, and a sensing device for said toy means: saidsensing device comprising; one or a plurality of sensors for generatingelectrical signal when an external thing contacts or activates thesensor(s), said sensor(s) being provided to said stomach part, thighparts, hip part, spine part, shoulder blade parts and/or the head part,a microcomputer that stores in memory data for the sensor(s), data forthe signal generated by each sensor, and data for the number(s) of saidsensor(s), in a predetermined program, and is further programmed todiscriminate which signal is generated by which sensor, to compare thenumber of the signal(s) sent by the sensor(s) with the number of thesensor(s) preset in the predetermined program, and to order theresponding means either to respond or not, a responding means forproducing responding signal in accordance with the order of themicrocomputer, said responding means including devices for producing anauditory signal, a visible signal and/or a vibratory signal, a switchpart being provided with several kinds of switches, a power supply beingbattery supplied or A/C power supplied, said one or a plurality ofsensors, microcomputer, responding means, switch part and power supplybeing electrically interconnected to one another and provided to saidtoy means; and said microcomputer being so programmed, according to saidpredetermined program, that; the microcomputer examines the presence ofa signal(s) sent thereto by the sensor(s), and if no signal is detected,the microcomputer let the responding means remain in non-respondingstate, when the sensor(s) of the toy means placed on an external thingis contacted by the external thing and the number of the signal(s) sentto the microcomputer coincides with the preset number of the sensor(s),the microcomputer orders the responding means to remain innon-responding state, when at least any one sensor of the toy means isnot contacted by the external thing and is not activates, and therebythe number of the signal(s) sent to the microcomputer is less than thepreset number of the sensor(s), the microcomputer orders the respondingmeans to produce responding signal, and it is arranged such that theresponse is stopped when the attendant (to the toy means), uponrecognizing the responding signal, corrects the posture of the toymeans, and thereby let the toy means contact an external thing andactivate all the sensor(s) the number of which is coincident with thepreset number of the sensor(s).
 7. The sensing device according to claim1, wherein said sensors comprises as follows; a seat sensor is providedto the thigh parts of said baby holding means, accessory means, wrappingmeans, clothing means or toy means, and a hip sensor is provided to thehip part thereof.
 8. The sensing device according to claim 1, whereinsaid sensors comprises as follows; a seat sensor is provided to thethigh parts of said baby holding means, accessory means, wrapping means,clothing means or toy means, a hip sensor is provided to the hip partthereof and a spine sensor is provided to the spine part thereof.
 9. Thesensing device according to claim 1, wherein said sensors comprises asfollows: a seat sensor is provided to the thigh parts or said babyholding means, accessory means, wrapping means, clothing means or toymeans, a hip sensor is provided to the hip part thereof and two bladesensors are provided to the shoulder blade parts thereof.
 10. Thesensing device according to claim 1, wherein said sensors comprises asfollows; a seat sensor is provided to the thigh parts of said babyholding means, accessory means, wrapping means, clothing means or toymeans, a hip sensor is provided to the hip part thereof and a headsensor is provided to the head part thereof.
 11. The sensing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said sensors comprises as follows; a hipsensor is basically provided to the hip part of said baby holding means,accessory means, wrapping means, clothing means or toy means and atlease one sensor among the spine sensor blade sensors, and a head sensoris further provided to the respective spine part, shoulder blade partsor the head part thereof.
 12. The sensing device according to claim 1,wherein said switch part includes a sensor-selecting switch for anoccupant, a wearer or an attendant (to the occupant, the wearer or thetoy means) of said baby holding means, accessory means, wrapping means,clothing means or toy means to select the sensor(s) that he/she wants tooperate.
 13. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein saidsensors comprises as follows; only a hip sensor is provided to the hippart of said baby holding means, accessory means, wrapping means,clothing means or toy means, or only the hip sensor is selected amongall the sensors provided to the baby holding means, accessory means,wrapping means, clothing means or toy means by a sensor-selectingswitch.
 14. The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein saidmicrocomputer is so programmed, in a predetermined program, as tomaintain the responding means in hold state for a given standard time,until said standard time elapses, and after lapse of such standard holdtime, the microcomputer permits the responding means to respond.
 15. Thesensing device according to claim 1, wherein said sensor(s) arecomprised of weight detecting sensors that can detect the weight orpressing force of the toy means, the occupant of the baby holding means,accessory means or wrapping means or the wearer of the clothing means, astandard degree of pressing force for each sensor is preset and storedin memory and a standard degree of pressing force for any one sensor maybe the same as or different from that of the other sensor; and themicrocomputer is so programmed that, the pressing force applied to eachsensor is checked through a determination as to whether the pressingforce exceeds the preset standard degree or not, when the pressing forceapplied to any one sensor exceeds the standard degree, the microcomputerorders the responding means to produce responding signal, and when theresponding means produces responding signal, it is arranged such thatthe response is stopped when the occupant, the wearer or the attendant(to the occupant, the wearer or the toy means), upon recognizing theresponding signal, reduces the pressing force applied to the sensor. 16.The sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said baby holdingmeans, accessory means, wrapping means, clothing means or toy means isprovided with a retaining means such as a safety belt(s) and/or ashield(s), and said sensor(s) is provided to said retaining means. 17.The baby holding means according to claim 1, wherein said baby holdingmeans comprises any one of the infant seat, child car seat, child carbed, stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle, rocker, bassinet, shoppingcart, infant carrier, baby carrying pack, swing, crib, walker, highchair, stationary infant stand, or the combination of a few of theseapparatues.
 18. The accessory means according to claim 1, wherein saidaccessory means comprises any one of the miniature of the infant seat,child car seat, child car bed, stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle,rocker, bassinet, shopping cart, infant carrier, baby carrying pack,swing, crib, walker, high chair, stationary infant stand or thecombination of a few of these apparatuses.
 19. The wrapping meansaccording to claim 1, wherein said wrapping means comprises any one of asubstantially flat blanket, cushion support, pad, bunting or sheetarticle of flexible fabric material such as cotton, nylon, fleece, orthe like, which has a front side, a back side and contiguous edges, anddimensions sufficient to fit around a child.
 20. The clothing meansaccording to claim 1 or 5, wherein said clothing means comprises any oneof the diapers, covers for the diapers, shirts, unitary garments, pants,sanitary napkins, bandages and the like.
 21. The toy means according toclaim 1 or 6, wherein said toy means comprises any one of the dolls andtoy figures provided in animal-like figures that generally resemblefanciful animals such as a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a bear or the like,human resembling figures such as warriors, heroes or the like,fantasy-type figures including cartoon and other fictional characterssuch as a ghost or fairy godmother or other recognizable characters. 22.The baby holding means according to claim 2, wherein said baby holdingmeans comprises any one of the infant seat, child car seat, child carbed, stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle, rocker, bassinet, shoppingcart, infant carrier, baby carrying pack, swing, crib, walker, highchair, stationary infant stand, or the combination of a few of theseapparatues.
 23. The accessory means according to claim 3, wherein saidaccessory means comprises any one of the miniature of the infant seat,child car seat, child car bed, stroller, infant bed, hammock, cradle,rocker, bassinet, shopping cart, infant carrier, baby carrying pack,swing, crib, walker, high chair, stationary infant stand or thecombination of a few of these apparatuses.
 24. The wrapping meansaccording to claim 4, wherein said wrapping means comprises any one of asubstantially flat blanket, cushion support, pad, bunting or sheetarticle of flexible fabric material such as cotton, nylon, fleece, orthe like, which has a front side, a back side and contiguous edges, anddimensions sufficient to fit around a child.
 25. The clothing meansaccording to claim 5, wherein said clothing means comprises any one ofthe diapers, covers for the diapers, shirts, unitary garments, pants,sanitary napkins, bandages and the like.
 26. The toy means according toclaim 6, wherein said toy means comprises any one of the dolls and toyfigures provided in animal-like figures that generally resemble fancifulanimals such as a dog, a cat, a rabbit, a bear or the like, humanresembling figures such as warriors, heroes or the like, fantasy-typefigures including cartoon and other fictional characters such as a ghostor fairy godmother or other recognizable characters.